The first generation 9-5 was introduced in 1997 as the replacement to the Saab 9000 for the 1998 model year. At the time, the car represented a great leap forward for Saab. In the United States, the 9-5 was introduced in the spring of 1998, for the 1999 model year.

On September 15, 2009, the second generation was presented at the Frankfurt Motor Show and production began in June 2010.[1] It was the first Saab to be launched under Spyker Cars' ownership, even though it was developed almost completely under GM's ownership.

Saab badged the model as the Saab 95, but consistently advertised it as the Saab 9-5, pronounced "nine five" rather than "ninety-five". This model should not be confused with the Saab 95, produced from 1959 to 1978.

The first generation 9-5 was available with sedan and station wagonbody styles. Aerodynamically, the sedan's drag coefficient is 0.29, and the station wagon's is 0.31 (U.S. version 0.33), which was introduced in 1999. It features such innovations as floor tracks to secure cargo and a sliding load floor to make loading easier.

The last 9-5 sedan of the first generation rolled off the Trollhättan production line at the beginning of July 2009,[2] the last wagon was assembled on February 1, 2010.[3] Since the summer of 1997, when the 9-5 production began, 252,236 sedans, and 231,357 wagons were built. The total production 483,593 units, was narrowly beaten by its predecessor, the 9000, of which 503,000 were built.

Production equipment associated with the first-generation 9-5 was sold by General Motors to BAIC of China in 2009.[4]

The first-generation 9-5 was powered by Saab's B205 and B235straight-4engines, and from 2002 in Europe by an Opel Ecotec X22DTH 2.2 diesel engine (Saab D223L), replaced in 2006 by Fiat's 1.9 JTD 16V dieselstraight-4. A turbocharged version of the GM54°, designated by Saab as B308, had a unique asymmetrical low-pressure turbocharger and was available from 1999 to 2003. This engine was available only with an automatic transmission, and cars with this engine installed are distinguishable by their twin tailpipes. The V6 was only available on Arc, SE, and Griffin models. In 2004, the V6 engine was replaced by a high pressure turbo straight-4 engine producing 220 hp (160 kW). By 2006 this engine was producing 260 hp (190 kW) even in the non-Aero or non-sport models (US models).

The B205 & B235-based 9-5 models have suffered a high rate of engine failures due to engine oil sludge.[citation needed] This primarily affected the 1999–2003 models. Saab refined the engine's positive crankcase ventilation system (PCV) for the 2004 and later model years and required use of fully synthetic oil, virtually eliminating the problem. Additionally, SAAB created update kits to retrofit to the 1999–2003 cars since they cannot be easily modified to accept the 2004 and later system. Mounting complaints by 9-5 owners forced GM to offer an eight-year warranty on the engine in 4-cylinder models for original owners, provided the owner can produce proof that they followed the manufacturer's oil change intervals. Saab recommends the use of Full Synthetic or Synthetic blend oil as a preventative measure.

The 9-5 was available with an Aisin AW 4-speed automatic transmission from 1997 to 2001. A new Aisin AW unit replaced the dated four-speed automatic with a five-speed automatic. A five-speed manual transmission is fitted as standard to the base models and the Aero. A six-speed manual transmission was never offered in first-generation 9-5's.

In 2005, an updated version of the 2.0 L turbocharged I4 was introduced in the European market together with the 2006 9-5. The engine is sold as 2.0T BioPower, and it is optimized to run on E85 producing 132 kW (180 hp) at 5500 rpm. There is also a 2.3T BioPower version sold from 2007. It was also introduced in Australia.

Continuing Saab's long-running tradition of offering class-leading safety features, the 9-5 introduced Saab's Active Head Restraints (SAHR), which moved up and forward to prevent whiplash when the car was struck from the rear. This feature won technology and safety awards in Australia, Denmark and the United Kingdom. The Saab 9-5 also was one of the first cars to have extensive side-crash protection. In the front seats were torso and head airbags, on even the oldest of 9-5s, making it unique in that few other late 1990s vehicles provided the same feature. The basic structure included a robust passenger cage, front and rear deformation zones, reinforced door posts and pillars, as well as the "Pendulum B-Pillar", which combined high-strength low-alloy steel at chest and head height with tailored blank steel at the floorpan, designed to direct the crash forces down toward the floor. The design was proven by the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety (IIHS) to protect occupants in side crashes, even without the addition of curtain airbags or rear side airbags. From 2002, ESP (electronic stability control), was included as standard equipment.

Another Saab feature was the "Night Panel", which permitted dousing of the instrument panel lighting, except for essential information, for less distraction when driving at night. Once the night panel button (located by the stereo and caution lights) has been activated, the instrument cluster will dim except for the speedometer, which will illuminate from 0-87 mph, until 87 has been exceeded. As a gauge becomes a necessity for the driver's attention, it will illuminate (for example, if the car needs to be refueled, if the engine is overheating, etc.)

In the United States OnStar was available, and provided as standard equipment in selected 9-5's from 2001 onward.[7]

The performance 9-5 Aero (with earlier versions sometimes referred to as the HOT Aero) was first released in 2000 with a 2.3T B235R engine. The B235R engine of the 9-5 Aero was capable of providing immense torque and acceleration-wise outperformed the Porsche 911 Turbo of the same era from 40-90 mph.Initially badged as a 230ps engine, Saab later conceded that the 230 hp power figure was quite conservative,with the manual versions rated 250 hp and having more torque than stated. This flagship model had a long list of standard features, a sport tuned suspension, and body side moldings. In 2002 a 253 PS (186 kW; 250 hp) 2.3 turbo engine was made standard,which allowed for more torque after 4500 rev/min. All Aero models from 2002-2005 have an identical engine layout and management system, with the 2002-05 models just having a slightly remapped version of that ECU from factory. The high-powered version of the 9-5 in the final form produces 263 PS (193 kW; 259 hp) and 350 N·m (260 lb·ft) of torque (370 N·m (270 lb·ft) with its 20-second overboost function accessible on the manual transmission equipped version. From model year 2006 to end of production, the 260 PS (191 kW; 256 hp) B235R was the standard engine in the 9-5 in both the 2.3T and Aero trims. 2006 had only one badge designation, the 2.3T and appointments normally found on the Aero could be added via a "Sport Package". 2007 and on added an Aero badge to the trunk lid to distinguish from regular 2.3T models. In addition, almost all standard features on the Aero were standard on the 2.3T, the exceptions being sport-tuned chassis, two-tone leather upholstery, "anniversary" wheels and brushed aluminum interior trim, all of which were standard on Aero and not available on the 2.3T.

The 9-5 is used for patrol and undercover in several parts of its native country, Sweden, alongside the Volvo V70. Several police forces in the UK also use the 9-5 in their fleets, mostly in Aero guise.

The city of Aspen, Colorado, used Saabs as patrol cars from early 1970s until 2005, when the 9-5 was discontinued in favor of Volvo XC90.[8]

The town of Vail, Colorado, had been using Saabs since 1980, but in 2005, the black 9-5 patrol cars were replaced by Ford Explorers, due to budget reasons.[9]

In 2006 Lothian and Borders Police in Edinburgh, Scotland, started using three Saab 9-5 Aero 2.3T patrol cars as part of a fleet of 580 various vehicles. These 9-5s were customised to police specifications by the Saab, Vauxhall and Chevrolet Special Vehicles Operation (SVO) in Papworth, Cambridgeshire.[10] In undercover guise, these cars were outwardly identical to the Linear Sport models, but featured the 260 bhp Aero drivetrain.

In Poland, an unmarked 9-5 is used as a video-pursuit vehicle, in the Płock area[11]

With the announcement of the sale of Saab to Spyker on January 26, 2010, it was confirmed that the new generation Saab 9-5 was already taken into production at the Saab plant in Trollhättan. Full production began in April 2010, with the cars appearing in dealerships on June 19.[17] Saab introduced a wagon variant of the new 9-5, dubbed "SportCombi," at the 2011 Geneva Motor Show.[18] The Saab 9-5 Sedan 2.8V6 Turbo has been named Car of the Year in Singapore by Wheels Asia.[19]

As Saab's business issues came to a head, production of 2011 9-5 models essentially ended in March 2011, when the production line in Trollhättan was stopped due to supply chain issues that were related to Saab's liquidity.[20] Total production numbers of the Gen II Saab 9-5 ended at 11280 units.

Although a number of prototype and production pilot SportCombis were produced, the variant did not enter serial production prior to Saab's bankruptcy in December 2011. There are 27 known surviving production SportCombi vehicles, 22 of which were sold at auction between December 2012 and June 2013.

In the US Saab 9-5 trim levels are as follows: Turbo4, Turbo4 Premium, Turbo6 XWD and Aero. Turbo4 models come with the turbocharged four-cylinder and are well-equipped with features that include power adjustable driver and passenger’s seats, leather upholstery, five-spoke alloy wheels, fog lamps and rain-sensing wipers. The Turbo4 Premium adds a panoramic sunroof, headlamp washers, Saab parking assistance, keyless entry and start, memory seats and 18-inch alloy wheels, while the Turbo6 XWD is powered by a turbocharged six-cylinder Ecotec engine and features an all-wheel-drive system. The top end Aero features 15-spoke “Rotor” 18-inch alloy wheels, leather-trimmed sports seats, a multi-colour central information display, Bi-Xenon SmartBeam headlamps, dark titanium-effect interior trim, aluminium sports pedals, a sports-tuned suspension system with real-time damping and unique Aero exterior elements.[21]

UK equipment levels for the 2012 model year include the Vector SE and Aero and both sedan and estate are available. The previous base models, Linear and Vector were replaced by the Vector SE model.[22]

Whilst in other parts of the world more trim levels were available, in Australia the base trim (Linear) was not part of the line up — only the Vector and Aero trims were available.

In North America, the engine choices were either a turbocharged V6 or an EcoTec I4. Other countries, however, had a turbodiesel I4 engine. Engine performance upgrades that were available from Hirsch Performance (Saab's only factory approved tuner) increased the power of the V6 engine to 330 BHP from 296 BHP and the I4 engine to 296 BHP from 220 BHP.

Parker's[27]
Pros: Lots of kit as standard, high-tech features, driver comfort, practicality.
Cons: Not particularly sporty, still lacks the brand appeal of its German rivals.

The AA[28]
Likes: Styling typically Saab but updated for the modern era. Comfortable seats are a Saab trademark. Cabin space is first rate - especially rear legroom. Sensible pricing for the mainstream variants.
Gripes: Simple styling could be viewed as bland by uncharitable critics. Can't match Jaguar's XF for sporting character. Clutter-free cabin is welcome but quality of materials chosen could have been better. Auto gearbox option could be more responsive.